Augusta, GA – Mrs. Emily Dozier Knott, affectionately known as “Aunt Emily”, wife of the late James Alfred Knott, went to be with the Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at Heartland Hospice. She was 96 years of age.
Emily was born on August 12, 1912 on Gillionville Plantation in Albany, Georgia to the late Bayard Taylor Dozier and Sophie Bierman Dozier. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son James Alfred Knott, Jr. and her brother Joseph Dozier. After losing both of her parents at an early age, Emily was raised by her Aunt and Uncle, Clifford Blake Ellis and Martha Dozier Ellis. Her grandfather was Judge James Lovett Dozier one of the pioneers that settled Dougherty County and a member of one of Albany, Georgia’s most prominent families.
Emily began teaching French at the age of 18 at Albany High School. She graduated from Wesleyan Conservatory with a degree in Piano and pipe organ and then went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Georgia. After graduating, she taught piano at Swainsboro High School. She later pursued her love of music and the arts as she studied for her PhD at the University of Wisconsin.
Mrs. Knott resided in Macon, Georgia for many years at 430 Pine Vista. There she and her husband raised two children and were very active in social, cultural and civic affairs. She loved giving parties and being the hostess to many functions.
She was an excellent cook and homemaker, as her recipes were legendary. She was a former member of The Idle Hour Country Club, The Morning Music Club, The Ingoli Garden Club, and The Sidney Lanier Association. She was a charter member of the Macon Art Association. She was also a member of Vineville Baptist Church. She was co-owner with her husband of Georgia-Alabama Business College and one of the first female business owners in the state of Georgia.
After the death of her husband in 1976, Emily moved to Augusta and joined St. John United Methodist Church where she faithfully taught Sunday school for 18 years. Emily
enjoyed traveling to North Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island and Blowing Rock, NC to her cousins homes where she enjoyed many happy times over a 30 year period.
She was a southern lady who loved life and thrived on meeting new friends at every opportunity. She was a great conversationalist and never at a loss for words. She was beloved by her Augusta family (cousins) Mrs. Gardelle Lewis, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Gardelle Lewis, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Blanchard, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Brinson, and Ms. Karey Ann Lewis.
She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Jean Knott Poythress and husband Maynard of Louisville, Kentucky, grandson John Maynard Poythress and wife Michelle of Crestwood, Kentucky, granddaughter Leigh Poythress Wilson and husband Dewayne Wilson of New Orleans, Louisiana, three great grandchildren Dalton and Lane Poythress, Crestwood, Kentucky, and Anthony Bayard Knott, Seattle, Washington. She was adored by special friends Kay Stevens and Elizabeth and Celeste Stevens.
She was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The family wishes to thank Vivian Robinson and Sarah Calhoun for their loving care and the residents and staff of St. John Towers for all of their many kindnesses to her as she loved you all. Also deep gratitude to her physicians Dr. Bleakley Chandler, Dr. Nesbit Dasher, and Dr. Scott Corpe for their excellent care over the years.
Funeral services will be conducted at St. John United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 3:00 pm, with the Rev. Gary DeMore officiating. The family will receive friends in the church foyer following her funeral service. Graveside services will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 1:00 pm at Oakview Cemetery in Albany, Georgia.
If so desired, memorials can be to St. John United Methodist Church, 736 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901 or the St. John Towers, 724 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901.
Pallbearers will be: Mr. George A. Sancken III, Mr. Bertram Maxwell, Dr. Nesbit Dasher, Dr. Bleakley Chandler, Mr. Greg Capers and Mr. J. Maxwell Vallotton.